Damper device and trash can equipped with the same

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides a damper device, comprising: a compression member having a first opening and an expandable casing; a fixed member having a second opening corresponding to the first opening, wherein the fixed member is connected to the compression member, and the second opening and the first opening together form a passage; and a movable member positioned at the passage formed by the first opening and the second opening, wherein when the compression member is being released, the movable member makes the passage open for air to fill in the expandable casing, and when the compression member is being compressed, the movable member makes the passage close to restrict the amount of air discharging from the expandable casing. The present disclosure further provides a trash can equipped with a damper device.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a damper device and a trash canequipped with the same. By using the damper device, the lid of the trashcan is able to close slowly on the main body of the trash can.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

There are generally two types of trash cans: open-type trash canswithout any covers or lids, and closed-type ones provided with covers orlids that can be shut by users. A closed-type trash can typicallyinclude a lid, a container body, a foot pedal and a linkage mechanism.The lower part of the linkage mechanism is positioned near the bottom ofthe container body and pivotally connected to one end of the foot pedal,while the upper part of the linkage mechanism is positioned near the lidso that the two components are pivotally connected to each other. When auser steps on the foot pedal, the linkage mechanism will move upward andlift the lid open. As the linkage mechanism comes to a highest positionit can reach, the lid will remain open at a fixed position. Generally,the linkage mechanism is also connected to a hydraulic mechanism, whichallows the linkage mechanism to move downward slowly and return to itsoriginal position, so that the lid can close and fit over the containerbody when the user releases the foot pedal. However, in cold weatherswhen temperatures are extremely low, the liquid in the hydraulicmechanism may solidify; in consequence, the linkage mechanism cannotmove downward slowly to its original position, the lid cannot be closed,and the trash can will remain open. Therefore, an improved trash can isrequired to overcome the above drawbacks of a conventional closed-typetrash can.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE

An aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a damper device and atrash can equipped with the same. The trash can includes a damper devicepositioned on a stand, and a linkage mechanism of the trash can securesa contact member at one end to make the contact member positioned on thedamper device. When the foot pedal of the trash can is stepped on, thelid of the trash can will open; when the pedal is released, the linkagemechanism will cause the contact member to move downward to compress thedamper device, allowing the lid to close slowly on the container body ofthe trash can.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a damper device isprovided, which comprises: a compression member having a first openingand an expandable casing; a fixed member having a second openingcorresponding to the first opening, wherein the fixed member isconnected to the compression member, and the second opening and thefirst opening together form a passage; and a movable member positionedat the passage formed by the first opening and the second opening,wherein when the compression member is being released, the movablemember makes the passage open for air to enter and fill up theexpandable casing, and when the compression member is being compressed,the movable member makes the passage close to restrict the amount of theair being discharged from the expandable casing.

Preferably, the first opening is provided with an outer thread, and thefixed member is provided with an inner thread corresponding to the outerthread.

Preferably, the movable member is a sphere.

Preferably, the first opening is provided with a plurality ofprotrusions, and the movable member is positioned on the plurality ofprotrusions of the first opening.

Preferably, the second opening is provided with a plurality ofprotrusions, and the movable member is positioned on the plurality ofprotrusions of the second opening.

Preferably, the movable member comprises a movable piece having aplurality of through-holes, the diameter of the movable piece beinglarger than the diameter of the second opening and smaller than thediameter of the first opening.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a trash can equippedwith a damper device is provided, which includes a lid, a containerbody, a stand, a step unit and a hinge portion, wherein the step unitincludes a foot pedal and a linkage mechanism having one end connectedto the foot pedal and the other end connected to the lid, the lid fitsover the container body, the container body fits over the stand and hasa liner inside, and the hinge portion is connected to the container bodyand pivotally connected to the lid. The trash can further includes adamper device confined to a position on the stand by a confining member,and the linkage mechanism of the trash can secures a contact member tomake it positioned on the damper device. The damper device comprises: acompression member having a first opening and an expandable casing; afixed member having a second opening corresponding to the first opening,wherein the fixed member is connected to the compression member, and thesecond opening and the first opening together form a passage; and amovable member positioned at the passage formed by the first opening andthe second opening. When the foot pedal is stepped on so that thecompression member is being released, the movable member makes thepassage open for air to enter and fill up in the expandable casing, andwhen the foot pedal is released so that the compression member is beingcompressed, the movable member makes the passage close to restrict theamount of the air being discharged from the expandable casing. As aresult, the air in the compression member will discharge slowly, therebyallowing the lid to slowly move downward and then close on the containerbody of the trash can.

Preferably, the first opening is provided with an outer thread, and thefixed member is provided with an inner thread corresponding to the outerthread.

Preferably, the movable member is a sphere.

Preferably, the first opening is provided with a plurality ofprotrusions, and the movable member is positioned on the plurality ofprotrusions of the first opening.

Preferably, the second opening is provided with a plurality ofprotrusions, and the movable member is positioned on the plurality ofprotrusions of the second opening.

Preferably, the movable member comprises a movable piece having aplurality of through-holes, the diameter of the movable piece beinglarger than the diameter of the second opening and smaller than thediameter of the first opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are cross-sectional sectional views of a damper devicein different states according to a first embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are cross-sectional sectional views of a damper devicein different states according to a second embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2C is a schematic view of the second opening in the secondembodiment;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are cross-sectional sectional views of a damper devicein different states according to a third embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 3C is a schematic view of the first opening in the third embodiment

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a trash can according to the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the circle C in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the trash canaccording to another embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the trash canaccording to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodimentsof the present disclosure are shown. It is to be understood that allkinds of alterations and changes can be made by those skilled in the artwithout deviating from the spirit and the scope of the presentdisclosure. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, butis made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles ofthe present disclosure.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are cross-sectional sectional views of a damper device10 in different states according to a first embodiment of the presentdisclosure In this embodiment, the damper device 10 comprises: acompression member 1 having a first opening 2 and an expandable casing3; a fixed member 4 having a second opening 5 corresponding to the firstopening 2, wherein the fixed member 4 is connected to the compressionmember 1, and the second opening 5 and the first opening 2 together forma passage; and a movable member 6 positioned at the passage formed bythe first opening 2 and the second opening 5 to control the open/closestate of the passage.

The first opening 2 of the compression member 1 is provided with anouter thread 7, and the fixed member 4 is provided with an inner thread8 corresponding to the outer thread 7. The fixed member 4 is connectedto the compression member 1 by means of the engagement between the outerthread 7 and the inner thread 8. The movable member 6 comprises amovable piece 9, wherein the diameter of the movable piece 9 is largerthan that of the second opening 5 and smaller than that of the firstopening 2. The movable piece 9 has a plurality of through-holes 91.

When a force F (as shown by the arrow in FIG. 1A) is applied to theexpandable casing 3 and makes it compressed, the movable member 6 willmake the passage close (for the diameter of the movable piece 9 of themovable member 6 is larger than that of the second opening 5 of thefixed member 4). Consequently, air cannot be discharged from theexpandable casing 3 via the second opening 5 of the fixed member 4; theair within the expandable casing 3 is also compressed. Meanwhile, sincethe movable piece 9 has the through-holes 91 that can restrict theamount of the air being discharged, the air within the expandable casing3 will be slowly discharged via the through-holes 91 of the movablepiece 9. When the force F disappears (as shown in FIG. 1B), theexpandable casing 3 will soon expand due to its own elastic recoveryforce, and the expansion leads to a negative pressure state within theexpandable casing 3. Moreover, since the diameter of the movable piece 9of the movable member 6 is smaller than that of the first opening 2 ofthe compression member 1, the movable piece 9 of the movable member 6will be lifted up by the pressure outside the damper device. Therefore,the movable member 6 makes the passage open, air outside the deviceenters the expandable casing 3 (as shown in FIG. 1 B, the arrowindicates the air flow direction) via the passage, and the expandablecasing 3 soon recovers the released state.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are cross-sectional sectional views of a damper device11 in different states according to a second embodiment of the presentdisclosure; FIG. 2C is a schematic view of the area A in FIG. 2A,illustrating the second opening 12 of the damper device 11. In thisembodiment, the damper device 11 comprises: a compression member 1having a first opening 2 and an expandable casing 3; a fixed member 4having a second opening 12 corresponding to the first opening 2, whereinthe fixed member 4 is connected to the compression member 1, and thesecond opening 12 and the first opening 2 together form a passage; and amovable member 13 positioned at the passage formed by the first opening2 and the second opening 12. The second opening 12 is provided with aplurality of protrusions 121 (as shown in FIG. 2C). The movable member13 may be a sphere and is positioned on the plurality of protrusions 121of the second opening 12; more particularly, the movable member 13 andthe protrusions 121 are in contact.

When a force F (as shown by the arrow in FIG. 2A) is applied to theexpandable casing 3, since protrusions 121 of the second opening 12 canrestrict the amount of the air being discharged, the expandable casing 3will gradually turn to the compressed state. When the force F disappears(as shown in FIG. 2B), the expandable casing 3 will soon expand due toits own elastic recovery force, and the expansion leads to a negativepressure state within the expandable casing 3. Moreover, since thediameter of the movable member 13 is smaller than that of the firstopening 2 of the compression member 1, the movable member 13 will floatup because of the pressure outside the damper device. Therefore, themovable member 13 makes the passage open, air outside the device entersthe expandable casing 3 (as shown in FIG. 2B, the arrow indicates theair flow direction) via the passage, and the expandable casing 3 soonrecovers the released state.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are cross-sectional sectional views of a damper device21 in different states according to a third embodiment of the presentdisclosure; FIG. 3C is a schematic view of the area B in FIG. 3A,illustrating the first opening 22 of the damper device 21. In thisembodiment, the damper device 21 comprises: a compression member 1having a first opening 22 and an expandable casing 3; a fixed member 4having a second opening 5 corresponding to the first opening 22, whereinthe fixed member 4 is connected to the compression member 1, and thesecond opening 5 and the first opening 22 together form a passage; and amovable member 23 positioned at the passage formed by the first opening22 and the second opening 5. The first opening 22 is provided with aplurality of protrusions 221 (as shown in FIG. 3C). The movable member23 may be a sphere and is positioned on the plurality of protrusions 221of the first opening 22; more particularly, the movable member 23 andthe protrusions 221 are in contact.

When a force F (as shown by the arrow in FIG. 3A) is applied to theexpandable casing 3, since protrusions 221 of the first opening 22 canrestrict the amount of the air being discharged, the expandable casing 3will gradually turn to the compressed state. When the force F disappears(as shown in FIG. 3B), the expandable casing 3 will soon expand due toits own elastic recovery force, and the expansion leads to a negativepressure state within the expandable casing 3. Moreover, the movablemember 23 will float up because of the pressure outside the damperdevice. Therefore, the movable member 23 makes the passage open, airoutside the device enters the expandable casing 3 (as shown in FIG. 3B,the arrow indicates the air flow direction) via the passage, and theexpandable casing 3 soon recovers the released state.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a trash can 31 equipped with adamper device 10 according to the present disclosure. In thisembodiment, the trash can 31 equipped with the damper device 10 includesa lid 32, a container body 33, a stand 34, a step unit and a hingeportion 35. The step unit includes a foot pedal 36 and a linkagemechanism 37 (comprising a horizontal linkage portion 37 and a verticallinkage portion 37, as shown in FIG. 4). The linkage mechanism 37 hasone end connected to the foot pedal 36 and the other end connected tothe lid 32. The lid 32 fits over the container body 33; the containerbody 33 fits over the stand 34 and has a liner 38 inside. The hingeportion 35 is connected to the container body 33 and pivotally connectedto the lid 32; for example, the hinge portion 35 may be pivotallyconnected to the lid 32 by means of a pivot shaft (not shown).

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the circle C in FIG. 4. With reference toFIGS. 4 and 5, a confining member 39 is secured to the stand 34. Thedamper device 10 is confined to a position on the stand 34 by theconfining member 39, and the vertical linkage portion of the linkagemechanism 37 secures a contact member 40 (a connection member 41 may beused to connect and secure the linkage mechanism 37 to the contactmember 40, as shown in FIG. 5) to make it positioned on the damperdevice 10. The components of the damper device 10 and its workingprinciple have been described above, so relevant descriptions will beomitted hereinafter.

When a user steps on the foot pedal 36 and causes the vertical linkageportion of the linkage mechanism 37 to start moving upward, the lid 32opens and the compression member 1 is being released. The movable member6 then makes the passage open for air to enter the expandable casing 3via the passage. At the same time, the expandable casing 3 expands dueto its own elastic recovery force. The expansion leads to a negativepressure state within the expandable casing 3, thereby allowing airoutside the device to enter the expandable casing 3 via the passage.Consequently, the expandable casing 3 soon recovers the released state.

When the user release the foot pedal 36 and causes the vertical linkageportion of the linkage mechanism 37 to start moving downward, thecompression member 1 is being evenly compressed by the contact member 40in a downward direction. The movable member 6 then makes the passageclose to compress the air within the expandable casing 3. Since themovable piece 9 has a plurality of through-holes 91 that can restrictthe amount of the air being discharged, the compressed air within theexpandable casing 3 is being slowly discharged via the through-holes 91of the movable piece 9, and thus, at the same time, the vertical linkageportion of the linkage mechanism 37 is moving downward slowly. As aresult, the lid 32 will be closing slowly on the container body 33before the lid 32 comes to a completely closed position.

Although a damper device 10 of the first embodiment is applied to thetrash can 31 described above, a damper device 11 of the secondembodiment or a damper device 21 of the third embodiment may also beapplied to the same trash can. FIGS. 6 and 7 respectively show suchtrash cans equipped with a damper device 11/21, so that in either case,the lid 32 of the trash can is able to close slowly on the containerbody 33. The working principle of the damper devices 11 and 21 has beendescribed above; relevant descriptions will be omitted hereinafter.

While this present disclosure has been described by way of examples andin terms of preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that thepresent disclosure is not limited hereto, and that various changes andmodifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. It is intended thatthe scope of the present disclosure be defined by the claims appendedhereto.

1. A damper device, comprising: a compression member having a first opening and an expandable casing; a fixed member having a second opening corresponding to the first opening, the fixed member being connected to the compression member, the second opening and the first opening together forming a passage; and a movable member positioned at the passage formed by the first opening and the second opening, wherein when the compression member is being released, the movable member makes the passage open for air to enter and fill up the expandable casing, and when the compression member is being compressed, the movable member makes the passage close to restrict the amount of the air being discharged from the expandable casing.
 2. The damper device according to claim 1, wherein the first opening is provided with an outer thread, and the fixed member is provided with an inner thread corresponding to the outer thread.
 3. The damper device according to claim 2, wherein the movable member is a sphere.
 4. The damper device according to claim 3, wherein the first opening is provided with a plurality of protrusions, and the movable member is positioned on the plurality of protrusions of the first opening.
 5. The damper device according to claim 3, wherein the second opening is provided with a plurality of protrusions, and the movable member is positioned on the plurality of protrusions of the second opening.
 6. The damper device according to claim 1, wherein the movable member comprises a movable piece having a plurality of through-holes, the diameter of the movable piece being larger than the diameter of the second opening and smaller than the diameter of the first opening.
 7. A trash can equipped with a damper device, comprising: a stand; a container body that fits over the stand and has a liner inside; a lid that fits over the container body; a step unit including a foot pedal and a linkage mechanism having one end connected to the foot pedal and the other end connected to the lid; a hinge portion connected to the container body and pivotally connected to the lid; and a damper device confined to a position on the stand by a confining member, the linkage mechanism securing a contact member to make the contact member positioned on the damper device, wherein the damper device comprises: a compression member having a first opening and an expandable casing; a fixed member having a second opening corresponding to the first opening, wherein the fixed member is connected to the compression member, and the second opening and the first opening together form a passage; and a movable member positioned at the passage formed by the first opening and the second opening, wherein when foot pedal is stepped on so that the compression member is being released, the movable member makes the passage open for air to enter and fill up the expandable casing, and when the foot pedal is released so that the compression member is being compressed, the movable member makes the passage close to restrict the amount of the air being discharged from the expandable casing.
 8. The trash can equipped with a damper device according to claim 7, wherein the first opening is provided with an outer thread, and the fixed member is provided with an inner thread corresponding to the outer thread.
 9. The trash can equipped with a damper device according to claim 8, wherein the movable member is a sphere.
 10. The trash can equipped with a damper device according to claim 9, wherein the first opening is provided with a plurality of protrusions, and the movable member is positioned on the plurality of protrusions of the first opening.
 11. The trash can equipped with a damper device according to claim 9, wherein the second opening is provided with a plurality of protrusions, and the movable member is positioned on the plurality of protrusions of the second opening.
 12. The trash can equipped with a damper device according to claim 7, wherein the movable member comprises a movable piece having a plurality of through-holes, the diameter of the movable piece being larger than the diameter of the second opening and smaller than the diameter of the first opening. 